Automation, SWG decisions

[setsailsoon]

I know what.. I meant now... duh... 1xGFCI for pump and 1xGFCI for Intellicenter...
Lot's of electronics in the Intellicenter so that would make sense.

Eco,

Code requires a GFCI breaker on pool pumps for safety. Not sure it really protects electronics. You need a Type 1 or Type 2 surge protector for that. If you have an Intellicenter in Florida I would have both due to the amount of lightning we experience. Lightning fried several components in my previous control system (Jandy RS). Any qualified electrician can install a Type 1 or 2. The Type 1 is installed under your meter and costs about $400 installed. Type 2 is installed in your breaker box and costs a little less. Type 1 is the only one that protects against a power surge due to lightning that strikes the power line.

I hope this helps.

Chris

 

[setsailsoon]

Eco,

I'm not sure what valves you'll need to actuate automatically. As Jim mentioned for my spa I have two that switch my pool to spa mode. I also have one additional that open's and closes the bypass for my solar heater. Looking at your signature I don't see a spa or a solar heater. Is this correct? If you don't have those or some other feature that requires a valve what would you need an actuator for?

Chris

 

[dianedebuda]

About the breaker for the pump - saw somewhere on TFP that the Pentair breaker, IntelliFlo GFCI Breaker 2-Pole 20A (PA220GF), was recommended for a VS - something about it was "tuned" to not trip the GFCI falsely. Wonder if that'd be true for your VSF too.

 

[eco-help]

Eco,

I'm not sure what valves you'll need to actuate automatically. As Jim mentioned for my spa I have two that switch my pool to spa mode. I also have one additional that open's and closes the bypass for my solar heater. Looking at your signature I don't see a spa or a solar heater. Is this correct? If you don't have those or some other feature that requires a valve what would you need an actuator for?

Chris

Only thing I can think of is 1 for fountain (currently has manual valve*) and 1 for “backwash” if I need to drain pool
*piping and valve exist, I need to buy fountain and fix PVC break

 

[eco-help]

About the breaker for the pump - saw somewhere on TFP that the Pentair breaker, IntelliFlo GFCI Breaker 2-Pole 20A (PA220GF), was recommended for a VS - something about it was "tuned" to not trip the GFCI falsely. Wonder if that'd be true for your VSF too.

Thanks! Hopefully it is type 1

Eco,

Code requires a GFCI breaker on pool pumps for safety. Not sure it really protects electronics. You need a Type 1 or Type 2 surge protector for that. If you have an Intellicenter in Florida I would have both due to the amount of lightning we experience. Lightning fried several components in my previous control system (Jandy RS). Any qualified electrician can install a Type 1 or 2. The Type 1 is installed under your meter and costs about $400 installed. Type 2 is installed in your breaker box and costs a little less. Type 1 is the only one that protects against a power surge due to lightning that strikes the power line.

I hope this helps.

Chris

yes thank you that does help.

 

[Jimrahbe]

eco,

Sorry, I took your post to mean you were no longer using your skimmers.

Your IntelliCenter needs a surge protector, not a GFCI.. Two different things.. A GFCI prevents someone from dying if there is an electrical problem.. The surge protector helps prevent the IntelliCenter from dying if there is an electrical surge.

Jim R.

 

[eco-help]

eco,

Sorry, I took your post to mean you were no longer using your skimmers.

Your IntelliCenter needs a surge protector, not a GFCI.. Two different things.. A GFCI prevents someone from dying if there is an electrical problem.. The surge protector helps prevent the IntelliCenter from dying if there is an electrical surge.

Jim R.

Cool I somehow thought GFCI included surge protection.. thanks!

 

[dianedebuda]

Thanks! Hopefully it is type 1

I'm talking about a breaker for the pump that goes in the IntelliCenter panel; type 1 is a type of surge protector to protect electronics from voltage spikes like Jim said. Again, two different beasties. The pump breaker must be GFCI like Chris said.

 

[setsailsoon]

Just to clarify my post #81. I use a type 1 and type 2 surge protector. The type 1 is the only one that will really protect against a line surge from lightning striking near a power line or transformer "upstream" of your house. Type 2 protects against surges created within your home circuitry. Surprisingly most surge damage is from this which happens when appliances with large motors start and other things I don't really understand but I take the experts word for it.

My installation also complies with applicable code so I have a GFCI breaker for the pool pumps.

Chris

 

[eco-help]

Does anyone have a complete bill of materials or other document that shows all the components they bought? I know each build is different but there are commonalities like part# for GCFI and breakers..
I assume Intellicenter comes with 0 breakers and I should use Pentair instead of pulling from my old panel?

 

[dianedebuda]

I'd like to see that too, but AFAIK, only the pump with its special harmonics or something benefits from have a Pentair breaker.

 

[eco-help]

Pool contractor (lets call them C) showed up today- seemed keen to sell Jabdy Automation threw out $3k ... but what really peeled my interest is he said the sprinkler system is replaced with one that is integrated to that system.. he asked me how many zones I need to control (which says to me it isn’t just a power on/off relay type thing)
Anyone know about this?
does Pentair have that option?
I was thinking about the options (mentioned here) but that would require another application to control it
It would be great to integrate everything

 

[eco-help]

My existing sub-panel has a transformer for the pool light.
Does the Intellicenter (or any automation) include transformers for Pool lights? I just received a quote for the addition of an external transformer.. near $300!
Is that right? (That I have to have an external transformer?

 

[Jimrahbe]

E,

None of the Pentair panels have internal lighting transformers. You have to buy external transformers.. one per light, if you want to independently control each light.

Jim R.

 

[eco-help]

Bright Idea... I am thinking that buying from Polytec Pools and finding a contractor to install (because I don't want/can't install myself AND I need them to sign the warranty card) might be my best bet.
Can anyone suggest how to go about finding a contractor who can work with me? PM works.
Thank you

 

[dianedebuda]

I ended buying from polytec after all. They said Pentair was really pretty lenient on their definition of Qualified Installer & sent me to Pentair warranty. HVAC caught my eye 'cause I have a really good, long term relationship with mine & I'm going to try him first to inspect & sign. Really fast delivery: ordered Wed, pump & filter here today & IntelliCenter due on Sunday. Polytec did say that they thought it'd be tough to find a pool guy to install owner-purchased equipment.

 

[eco-help]

I ended buying from polytec after all. They said Pentair was really pretty lenient on their definition of Qualified Installer & sent me to Pentair warranty. HVAC caught my eye 'cause I have a really good, long term relationship with mine & I'm going to try him first. Really fast delivery: ordered Wed, pump & filter here today & IntelliCenter due on Sunday.

Very good news congrats on your new system! I saw the language is lenient but I think first I need to find someone who agrees to do it..
Keep us up in your install
do you have a Bill of materials ?

 

[dianedebuda]

Edited my post to add that Polytec thought it'd be hard to find someone to install equipment that you didn't purchase through them.
Shopping list so far

 

[eco-help]

Edited my post to add that Polytec thought it'd be hard to find someone to install equipment that you didn't purchase through them.
Shopping list so far

Yeah my concern, I can’t buy from them till I secure an installer.
If anyone knows someone willing to I will be very grateful

 

[eco-help]

I ended buying from polytec after all. They said Pentair was really pretty lenient on their definition of Qualified Installer & sent me to Pentair warranty. HVAC caught my eye 'cause I have a really good, long term relationship with mine & I'm going to try him first to inspect & sign. Really fast delivery: ordered Wed, pump & filter here today & IntelliCenter due on Sunday. Polytec did say that they thought it'd be tough to find a pool guy to install owner-purchased equipment.

Just read the warranty link - thank you for posting that.. seems it must be a pump AND filter to qualify
I was planning to keep the Hayward filter.. I guess I will have to consider adding that then ask myself if the additional expense is worth it..